Express vs Angular - Deciding The Right Web App Framework

“It’s not that we use technology, it’s that we live technology.”
– Godfrey Reggio

How true that is! Our everyday lives revolve around technology, most specifically app technology. To make the best use of the vast array of available technologies, we must know more about the foundation that it is built on – web app frameworks. This blog will run you through why you should look into Web app development as a vital tool for your business and help you look into two popular web app frameworks - Express and Angular. A detailed comparison between the two will help you decide which framework you can build your app on.

What Is Web App Development?
A simple definition of a Web application or Web app is – it is an application programme that is accumulated on a remote server and supplied over the Internet through a browser interface. A web app can be accessed through a network without the need to be downloaded. A more common term for web apps would be web services although not all websites contain web apps.

Why Is It Important For Businesses Today?
Web application development received significant attention once businesses started establishing their presence in the online world. It allows you to:

Tap into the Power of the Internet
As an effect of people using the internet on a more regular basis, multiple browsers and development platforms blossomed. Web applications essentially increased in popularity as organizations and businesses started introducing applications that required the use of a web browser.

Power Charge Your Online Presence
An effective online presence plays a very important role in the progress of businesses today. The significance of a web app rose with the global transition from desktops to smart-phones or tablets by a large number of people. If businesses deftly exploit this, they can gain from it. From the basic selling of products/services online to sharing critical information regarding a company, web presence plays a crucial role.

Compete With The Best
Although mobile applications have taken over customary websites, a well-designed professional web application is an efficient tool to achieve industry standards. Web application development for businesses lets developers create and share information with no limits to imagination and functionality. They can provide a business with easy accessibility, improved efficiency, enhanced security, cost efficiency and increased customisation along with scalability among other things.

Difference Between Web App Development And Website Application
There is a wide line of difference between Web App Development and Website Applications but before we look into that, let us first gain a clear understanding of what they are.

A Web App, as we saw above, is a piece of software that can be accessed by the browser. It requires a server to handle requests from the users. For example, Google Apps, Amazon and YouTube fall under this category.

A website is a set of globally accessible interlinked web pages in a single domain name. A browser is needed to view a website (Chrome, Firefox). A restaurant’s web pages where you can view the menu, a forum or blog are examples of website applications.

Main Types Of Web App Developments
Based on how they are presented and their functionality, Web App Developments can be classified into 5 distinct types each with their own characteristics.

Static Web Application –
Rightly named after its nature, this application lacks flexibility. They are usually developed in HTML and CSS and it cannot be easily edited because these pages are created on the server end. Users have to reload the whole page for showing up the changes. They provide no interactivity and there is no need for users to input any information.

Dynamic Web Application –
In contrast to static web application, this application involves programming from both the client and server side. The web pages do not follow a defined order. Instead, the output depends on input from the client end or server end. They usually have an administration panel (called CMS) from where administrators can correct or modify the app’s content. Here, editing content is simple and the server doesn’t even have to be accessed when modifying it.

E-Commerce Application –
Every time you purchase something on the web, you interact with the most widely recognised web application: e-commerce. These apps require a lot of programming as its process is more complicated because it lists new products, updates or deletes them and manages orders and payments.

Portal Web Application –
A portal application is a Web-accessible tool. It provides users with a secure platform to log in using your user ID and password. The best example is any internet banking website. The users can modify the website to include interests, enter chat rooms or they can also change the colours and backgrounds appealing to them when they log in.

Content Management System (CMS) –
If you desire to regularly update your web application, installing a Content Management System i.e CMS web application is a key step. The administrator can make use of this CMS to implement changes and updates you require. A CMS application is commonly seen among content pages like personal blogs, corporate blogs, professional blogs, news pages, articles, media, etc.

Stages Of Web App Development
There are 6 many stages involved in the web application development process. Here, your vision, budget, timeline, staffing and technological requirements play an important factor. When speaking in general sense, a web application development process will include the following key stages:

Stage 1 - Complex Analysis
The first rudimentary step in the web application development process is to deeply analyze the project and its most significant elements. Your development team should help explore your needs, the project scope, and the necessary functionalities.

Stage 2 - Planning And Blueprints
With the help of information gathered in the previous stage of the web app development process, developers fabricate a blueprint including flowcharts and sketches that helps map out the overall structure of the web application. This helps the client, get an idea of how the final layout will look and feel like, before the design work begins. This avoids any unwanted confusion or misunderstanding that may arise later.

Stage 3 - Web Application Design
This stage is all about fine-tuning the design & interactive elements of the web application. Designers play with colour schemes, graphics, icons, templates, user experience, transitions, and much more to perfect the design aspect of the web application. The client will have the chance to review the mock-ups and pick their favourite.

Stage 4 - Coding And Programming
Once the aesthetics of the web app is finalized, the next stage is to develop its performance factor which involves programming the front-end and back-end aspects of the web app. Because of this process, delivery of functionality takes place systematically and continuously, and individual functionalities are delivered within a two-week sprint. Finally, after multiple rounds of product testing, the application will be ready to be published officially.

Stage 5 - Launch
It is advisable to launch your web application initially in the beta version or in phases to different audience groups. You can also collect first pieces of feedback from early users.

Stage 6 - Maintenance
Pushing a boulder up a hill is easy but keeping it there is the real challenge. No matter the size, every web app needs regular maintenance. Steady updates and maintenance will give users the confidence that their voice is being heard, and that the organization behind the web app is dedicated to providing the best possible user experience.

Strategising A Successful Web App Development
Taking strategic steps to systematise, simplify, and advance your web application development process is vital to business success today and in the future. Following are a few tips to take into consideration for a more successful Web App Development:

Systemize the Web Application Process –
Without a clear system to guide developers, the end result could be chaotic and time consuming. Use a common Web Development architecture and programming language with all the company’s projects. This approach promotes consistency and ensures that new development teams have an easier start smooth transition from one team to another.

Keep It Clean And Clear –
Web Application Development should be able to balance essential functions with ease of use and simplicity. Motivate developers to simplify your user interface (UI) — that is, what the user sees and interacts with. Ensure to keep the overall appearance clean and simple rather than complex and cluttered.

Make It User Friendly –
One key for a successful Web App Development is to provide a positive user experience. This is possible when the application is easy to learn, memorize and utilize. Links, fast delivery, and good navigation are features that promote a user friendly experience.

Security Is Important –
Some developers, while under the pressure to create Web Application solutions, tend to sacrifice and underestimate security. This creates a substantial risk and can cause numerous problems if the application is breached.

Future-Proof It –
In an ideal world, Web Application is created keeping current and future prospects in mind. However, no one can be very certain as to what trends will arise in the future or requirements will emerge. To ensure a Web Application is future proof, separate the application into simpler layers or tiers so that modification, if necessary, is easy. Build a large application in case you have more users than you expect. Lastly, build applications that are capable of integrating and coordinating with other types of applications.

Top Web App Development Frameworks
Web Application Framework or simply “web framework” is a software framework that is fabricated to support web application development, including web services, web resources, and web APIs.

Listed below are the most popular Web App Development frameworks:

React JS
React JS (React or React.js) is an open-source framework for JavaScript used to build user interfaces (UI) and their components. Some notable React projects include Facebook, Skype, Discord, Uber, Netflix, Tesla and Walmart.

Angular
Angular is an open-source web application framework which works on the basis of TypeScript and is maintained by the Angular Team at Google. Angular presents a large ecosystem of tools and solutions contributing to a wide user base. Examples of the Angular framework include PayPal, Google, and Nike.

Django
Django is another framework that aims to build quality Web Applications. Developers that use this framework vouch that the applications are ridiculously fast, secure, scalable, and versatile. Websites using Django are Pinterest, Instagram, Quora, etc.

Express
Express or Expressjs is a nominal and flexible framework that offers an array of features for web and mobile applications. Express also plays as a component of the MEAN software bundle. Websites that use Express are Storify, Myspace, LearnBoost, etc.

jQuery
jQuery originally began as a JavaScript library, and although it is still marketed as such, it meets the criteria of a framework. It is used by major brands including WordPress, Facebook and IBM.

What Is Express Technology and Angular Technology?
Express Technology is a small popularly impartial framework, written in JavaScript that is hosted on top of Node.js’s web server functionality to simplify its APIs and add helpful new features. It makes organization of your application’s functionality easier. It also adds helpful utilities to Node.js’s HTTP objects, and facilitates the supply of dynamic HTTP objects.

Angular Technology is an open-source development JavaScript framework that is written in TypeScript. It makes building web applications easy by focussing on developer speed, scalability and productivity. It also provides a standard structure for developers to work with and enables them to produce large applications in a more mainstream manner. Angular was primarily created by Google and is one of the top widespread modern frameworks.

Framework Difference Between Angular And Express
Frameworks aim to be time saving and offer developers a host of extra features that can be added to software without requiring additional effort. The most basic difference between Angular Technology and Express Technology is that AngularJS falls under the category of "Javascript MVC Frameworks (frontend)", while ExpressJS is essentially classified under "Microframeworks (Backend)".

Architectural Comparison
A more in-depth comparison will reveal that Angular.Js implements core and optional functionality as a set of TypeScript libraries that are imprinted into applications. It comprises of three main factors - Modules, Components, and Routing.

The basic corner stone of angular application is module as it defines any angular app. Components on the other hand define views, which are sets of screen elements that Angular can choose among and modify according to the programme logic and data. Lastly, multiple components are liked with each other through Routing. It helps navigation between linked components.

In Express.Js, we see that it is a JavaScript-based platform built on Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine that is mainly utilised to create I/O-intensive web applications. To manage several concurrent clients, Node.js implements a “Single Threaded Event Loop” design that has two fundamental concepts - Asynchronous model and Non-blocking of I/O operations. These features enhance the scalability, performance, and throughput of Express.js web applications.

Pros And Cons
Listed below are some of the pros of Angular and Express applications respectively:

Angular Application

• Component based architecture
• TypeScript
• Reusability
• Google support
• Documentation
• Maintainability

Express Application

• Robust Technology Stack
• Fast Processing and event based
• Scalable Technology for Micro-servers
• Rich ecosystem
• Strong corporate system
• Seamless JSON support

Listed below are some of the cons of Angular and Express Technologies respectively:

Angular Application

• Divided and controversial
• Migrating systems from Angular.Js to Angular takes time
• Verbose and complex
• Tough learning curve

Express Application

• Performances brims with numerous computation tasks
• Heavy load on callbacks
• Immaturity of tools
• Growing demand for experienced professionals

Performance And Speed Comparison
Express is widely famous for the unmatchable speed it delivers to applications. When it comes to speed, an Express programme can provide 11,202 requests per second for a simple “Hello World” benchmark. As for Angular Applications, it has proved to consist of very high-performance frameworks which further facilitates superior performance. In conclusion, one has apex speed while the other tops in performance.

Market Usage Statistics
An approximate total of 250,706 websites and an additional 966,759 domains use Express Technology in their applications.
Similar Tech

Express is the 10th most popular framework in the world owing most of its popularity to The US where 38,847 websites are created with this application. A few examples of the more popular websites are twitter.com, mobile.twitter.com, smasung.com, paypal.com, and foxnews.com.
A study by BuiltWith

310,781 websites and 490,891 domains all around the world use Angular Technology.
Similar Tech

60,751 websites are run in the United States alone with the help of Angular. High-traffic sites and 16.1% developers thrive on this application. A few examples of these high-traffic sites are google.com, roblox.com, udemy.com, cricbuzz.com and many more.
A study by BuiltWith

How To Identify Which Web Application Suits Your Project?
The most important step while developing a software product is to identify which tech stack matches the criteria of your project, and selecting it. Your goal should not be the display of skills but to make the development process effortless as possible.

A few factors to keep in mind while identifying the best web development framework for your project are:
Usage - depending on what your web application will be used for
Software Pattern – it helps you write accurate codes.
Licence - make sure you check the framework license conditions before choosing one.
Learning curve – it should suit your timeline and skill level.
Core Library – it should let you swap the parts you do not need and add features.
Documentation - it attracts power users and expands the user base of the framework.

Selecting The Right Web App Development Partner
Listed below are some pointers to remember while selecting a web app development partner:

• Ask for referrals and sample work
• Conduct sufficient research and do not overlook social networks or specialized sites
• Evaluate their team expertise
• Check communication and collaboration skills
• Total up budget
• Test their web technology knowledge
• Security protocol

How Fingent Makes An Apt Tech Partner
Fingent is a software development company, attracting hundreds of clients from 4 continents. We develop strategic software solutions for businesses across the world. By initiating your projects with Fingent, you are backed by a dedicated and skilled team who work round the clock. All our processes are customer oriented and designed to reduce the cost of business developments.

At Fingent, we focus our resources into engineering high-quality and budget-friendly web applications for clients globally. Our excellent team of professionals is well experienced in a wide range of technologies to serve all modern business needs.

Fingent empowers customers with adaptive Web Applications built using Python, MongoDB, Angular, React, Node.js to simplify complex business workflows. Regardless of the industry or sector, we provide unparalleled web development services to overcome all challenges and generate value for the business.